How to Read the European Voyage Series
The European Voyage Cozy Mystery series by Blake Pierce is a six-book saga that follows the adventures of London Rose, a 33-year-old American who decides to reboot her life after rejecting a marriage proposal. She finds her calling as a tour guide on the Nachtmusik, a luxurious European river cruise ship. As the boat sails down the Danube, the Rhine, and up into Scandinavia, London finds herself solving a series of clever whodunits.
Because London's personal journey, her growing self-confidence, her interactions with the ship’s crew, and her romantic tensions develop continuously across the books, you should read the series in strict chronological order. Fortunately, the chronological path is identical to the publication order, making it incredibly easy to follow.
European Voyage Books in Order
Here is the recommended reading order for the series, which tracks both the publication sequence and London's cruise itinerary across Europe:
- Murder (and Baklava) (2020) – Set in Budapest, Hungary.
- Death (and Apple Strudel) (2020) – Set in Vienna, Austria.
- Crime (and Lager) (2021) – Set in Munich and Bavaria, Germany.
- Misfortune (and Gouda) (2021) – Set in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
- Calamity (and a Danish) (2021) – Set in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Mayhem (and Herring) (2021) – Set in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Cruise Itinerary: Book-by-Book Breakdown
Each book in the series takes readers to a new European country, blending local history, tourist landmarks, regional delicacies, and a puzzling murder mystery. Here is a look at each stop on London's journey:
1. Murder (and Baklava)
In the debut novel, London Rose leaves her comfortable, predictable life behind after calling off her wedding. She lands a job on the river cruise ship Nachtmusik starting in Budapest, Hungary. Just as she starts adjusting to her quirky crewmates and demanding passengers, a wealthy client is found murdered inside a historic church. With the local police suspicious and her new job on the line, London must use her quick wit to solve the case before the cruise ends in disaster.
2. Death (and Apple Strudel)
The ship docks in the stunning city of Vienna, Austria. London is eager to guide her group through the imperial palaces, classical music history, and cozy Viennese coffee houses. However, the sweet taste of apple strudel is ruined when a passenger is found dead. London is pulled back into the investigator role, balancing the expectations of her cruise director with a trail of clues that winds through the historic streets of Vienna.
3. Crime (and lager)
The cruise sails into Bavaria, Germany, where castles, historical towns, and giant beer halls await. London's guests are thrilled to experience local culture, but the festive mood evaporates when a murder occurs among the tourists. Navigating the language barrier, local customs, and a list of secretive suspects, London has to act fast to ensure the killer does not escape in the crowd of a German beer hall.
4. Misfortune (and Gouda)
As the Nachtmusik enters the Netherlands, the scenic canals, historic windmills, and famous cheese markets of Amsterdam and Rotterdam provide a colorful backdrop. Unfortunately, danger continues to follow the cruise. A local cheese dealer is found dead, and London's sharp observational skills are called upon once again. This installment leans heavily into the unique geography of Dutch waterways and the complex dynamics of the cruise crew.
5. Calamity (and a Danish)
Taking a detour north, the cruise crew finds themselves in Copenhagen, Denmark. The cozy concept of hygge, colorful harbor fronts, and delicious pastries are disrupted by a sudden murder. London must navigate the modern, design-focused city to track down a killer who is hiding in plain sight among the cruise passengers and local Danes.
6. Mayhem (and Herring)
The final book in the series takes London to the beautiful archipelago of Stockholm, Sweden. Amidst the winding medieval streets of Gamla Stan and the fresh seafood markets, London faces her most personal and challenging mystery yet. As the cruise season reaches its climax, she must tie up the loose ends of her own life while identifying a cunning killer before they strike again.
What to Know Before You Start
Blake Pierce is well-known for writing fast-paced, highly engaging thriller series like the Riley Paige and Jessie Hunt series. The European Voyage Cozy Mystery represents a lighter, more whimsical departure from his darker forensic thrillers. While it maintains the page-turning suspense Pierce is famous for, it replaces the gritty elements with humor, travel guides, delicious local food descriptions, and a light romantic subplot.
The books are relatively short and designed to be quick, fun reads. You can easily finish one during a weekend or on a real-life trip. The series is complete at six books, offering a satisfying conclusion to London's initial search for self-discovery and adventure.
Are the Books Standalones or Continuous?
Each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final chapter. You do not have to worry about frustrating cliffhangers regarding the crimes themselves. However, the overarching plot—including London's background, her relationships with the ship's crew, and her personal growth—builds directly from one book to the next. If you read them out of order, you will miss out on the character development and might encounter minor spoilers regarding London’s personal life.
Key Themes in European Voyage
The European Voyage series stands out in the cozy mystery genre due to several key elements that keep readers coming back:
- Reinvention and Empowerment: At 33, London Rose represents many readers who feel stuck in a rut. Her decision to walk away from a safe life and a proposal to guide tourists in a foreign continent highlights themes of independence, resilience, and personal growth.
- The Travelogue Experience: Blake Pierce acts as a virtual tour guide. He paints vivid descriptions of historic landmarks, local customs, and iconic landmarks, making the series perfect for armchair travelers.
- Culinary Whodunits: Every book is themed around a famous local food or drink—from baklava and apple strudel to lager and gouda. The culinary aspect adds sensory flavor to the mysteries.
- The River Cruise Dynamic: The setting of the river cruise ship Nachtmusik provides a unique twist on the classic locked-room mystery. Because the suspects are often confined to the ship or the tour group, the tension remains high.
Similar Series for Blake Pierce Fans
If you finish the European Voyage series and want more cozy travel mysteries, Blake Pierce has written several companion series with a similar vibe:
- A Year in Europe Cozy Mystery: This series follows Diana Hope, a 55-year-old empty nester who leaves her life behind to spend a year traveling through Europe. Like London, she solves cozy mysteries in beautiful European destinations.
- A Tuscan Vineyard Cozy Mystery: Following Olivia Glass, a 30-something who leaves her corporate job to run a vineyard in Tuscany, this series combines wine, Italian charm, and lighthearted detective work.
- Fiona Red Cozy Mystery: A cozy series set in the gorgeous landscapes of Ireland, featuring another spunky female lead solving local crimes.